Is Your Care Service Ready for the Single Assessment Framework?

If your last CQC inspection was before 2024, your service might be relying on outdated practices. The Care Quality Commission's transition to the Single Assessment Framework (SAF) has transformed how services are evaluated. Traditional mock inspections no longer offer the clarity or relevance that providers need.

At Qualis, we've adapted to this change by introducing the CQC Preparation Audit; a practical, evidence-based review that goes beyond mere box-ticking. It's designed to help you understand exactly where your service stands under the current inspection approach and what needs to change to stay compliant and confident.

How Preparation Has Evolved

The SAF doesn't depend solely on scheduled inspections. Instead, it gathers multiple sources of evidence, including digital records, staff experiences, service user feedback, and governance structures. Your service could be reviewed at any time based on the data the CQC observes without an inspector ever visiting your premises.

This new model requires services to maintain high performance consistently, not just on inspection day. Preparation is now about building a system that remains robust throughout the year.

What Our CQC Preparation Audit Offers

Our audit is designed around the six core evidence categories used in the SAF. It helps providers get ahead by identifying gaps, strengthening weak areas, and aligning everyday practices with inspection expectations.

Tailored to your service type, inspection history, and local authority context, we typically review:

• The effectiveness of your digital care systems in producing real-time, auditable evidence

• The alignment between your policies and actual service delivery

• Whether staff are supported and engaged, reflecting a healthy culture

• How service users are heard and how their feedback informs quality improvement

This is about understanding your strengths and ensuring you're always inspection-ready.

Common Questions from Providers

Providers frequently ask us:

• "What exactly has changed in the inspection process?"

• "Do we need new documentation or just better evidence?"

• "How do we demonstrate a good culture, not just claim to have it?"

• "Will the SAF lead to more desk-based reviews, and how do we prepare for that?"

These are crucial questions, and our audit helps you answer them clearly, backed by evidence.

Our audit also connects with our broader support. For instance, if you've read our recent post on preparing for a National Care Service, you'll know that regulation is tightening. With increasing pressures on staffing and pay expectations, it's vital to show the CQC that your service is stable, safe, and well-led.

Why Act Now

We recently assisted a small supported living provider with a 'Good' rating for years but hadn't been visited since before the pandemic. Their leadership believed they were in good shape. However, our audit revealed gaps in digital recordkeeping, outdated training logs, and a resident feedback process that wasn't being acted upon. These weren't major breaches, but under the new framework, they could have had serious consequences.

After the audit, they implemented a simple improvement plan, updated their evidence folders, and retrained senior staff on current CQC expectations. Within weeks, they gained the peace of mind they needed and confidence in their next steps.

Don't Wait for the Unexpected

The days of 'prepping for inspection week' are over. If you're unsure about your readiness, or just want to understand how your current practices align with 2025 expectations - we're here to help.

Book your CQC Preparation Audit today, and let's ensure your service is not just compliant, but resilient and future-ready.